Nina ran down the hallway, her heels striking the floor in sharp, echoing beats. Every step felt like it took her further from the scene—and the humiliation that followed. She just wanted out, away from everyone's eyes.
Right before the exit, someone stepped into her path. She stopped short.
"What do you want?" Nina asked, her voice tight with caution.
Sam smiled politely. "Just a quick talk, Miss Swanson."
"I have nothing to say to you," Nina shot back, her gaze darting to the two bodyguards who had appeared behind him. She instinctively stepped back, retreating toward the hall.
Sam moved forward slowly, his smile never wavering. As he closed the distance, he suddenly stopped, dipping his head slightly.
Nina froze, a cold shiver creeping up her spine. She turned around.
And her face went pale instantly.
Angus sat behind her, eyes locked on her like a blade, piercing and unblinking.
"Where is Liesa?" Angus asked, his voice low, steady, and cutting through the silence like a knife.
Nina's heart jolted. The memory of his indifference stung again, sharp and unforgiving. She frowned, forcing herself to stand her ground.
"Why should I tell you?" she snapped. Her nails dug into her palms, the tension thickening around them.
She thought,
Angus rolled forward slowly, his face calm, almost emotionless—but there was something about him, something dark, like a shadow shifting beneath the surface. Nina stood frozen, her eyes reddening as she stared at him.
She thought,
Angus stopped half a meter away. His voice was quiet, almost casual, but the words cut through the air like a threat.
"I keep a few sharks at the Bay," he said softly.
Nina swallowed, the chill of fear creeping into her chest. Despite sitting lower than her in the wheelchair, Angus felt impossible to look down on.
"What are you trying to say?" she asked, her voice barely steady, but her body was tense, bracing for whatever came next.
Angus's gaze stayed locked on her, dark and unreadable. He didn't answer her question. A cold breeze swept through the corridor, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Behind her, Sam's voice broke the silence. It was calm, almost elegant, but the words were chilling.
"Sharks," he said lightly, "prefer their prey alive."
Nina felt the cold sink deeper into her bones. The words felt like ice on her skin. Fear flooded her eyes as she looked at Angus.
Seeing the unmistakable mockery in his gaze, she forced herself to steady her breath, though her body trembled with the weight of it.
"What do you mean?" she asked, the words trembling on her lips.
Sam smiled faintly and continued, "Human meat isn't their favorite. Too sour. But if they're hungry enough… they won't be picky."
"No… you wouldn't dare," she stammered, shaking her head in disbelief. "There are police everywhere. You can't take me." Her voice cracked, fear lacing every syllable.
Angus's lips curled into a faint, icy smile. It was the kind of smile that made her skin crawl.
Sam let out a soft chuckle. "Miss Swanson really underestimates Angus," he said, his voice light but with an edge of amusement. He tilted his head slightly.
"You think those officers are all real?" Sam asked casually.
Nina froze. Her mind went completely blank.
As his words hit, the bodyguards stepped forward. Nina screamed, her voice high and frantic as she struggled wildly.
No one moved to help.
Just as they were about to drag her away, something inside her snapped.
"In the freezer!" she cried, her voice cracking. "Liesa is in the freezer!" Her body shook violently, adrenaline surging through her.
"In the backyard… an unused cold storage room. I locked her in there!"
Sam's expression shifted instantly. His eyes widened as the weight of her words hit him.
Before he could react, Angus had already risen from the wheelchair. A chilling aura surrounded him as he headed for the back yard without hesitation.
"Sir—your cane—" Sam called, grabbing it from beneath the chair, but Angus didn't pause. He limped slightly on his right leg, moving swiftly into the night, his determination cutting through the air.
Sam stood frozen for a second, then his face hardened. He turned to the bodyguards. "Take her."
Meanwhile, Angus moved forward, undeterred. Every person he passed stared in shock, but the cold, unyielding distance around him kept everyone at bay. No one dared ask a single question.
Liesa suddenly felt heat crawling through her body. She recognized the feeling instantly.
She thought,
If she didn't get out soon, the hallucinations would only worsen. And then—death would come faster.
She let out a weak breath, her vision starting to blur. She thought,
A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips.
She thought,
Her body trembled uncontrollably as the heat sensation grew stronger, suffocating her. She knew what came next.
She thought,
"No…" Liesa whispered, clutching her arms tightly, trying to hold on. She forced herself to stay still, fighting against the growing panic. "Just… end this already…" Her voice was barely audible, lost in the cold air.
Her consciousness began to fade.
Just as everything began to slip into darkness—
Bang!
The door slammed open.
A tall figure stepped into the light, blocking it with his silhouette. Liesa's vision was too blurry to make out the details, but she noticed one thing—the uneven step. And yet, each stride was steady and determined.
The figure reached her in seconds and pulled her into a firm embrace. Warmth surrounded her, a stark contrast to the icy chill.
Liesa blinked slowly, trying to focus.
"Angus…" she breathed, relief flooding her.
But confusion flickered faintly. She thought,